Assembling aid for constructing frameworks



March 11, 1952 c. J. DIETRICH 2,588,810 ID FOR CONST' AM Fig.1.

March 11, 1952 c. J. DIETRICH' Filed June 25. 1947 IN VEN TOR.

March 1952 c. J. DIETRICH 2,588,810

ASSEMBLING AID FOR CONSTRUCTING FRAMEWORKS Filed June 25, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. CLIFFORD J. DIETRIGH ATTORNEYS i ate'ntecl Mar. ll, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT -FFIC Clifford J. Dietrich, Charlottesville, Va. Application June 23, 1947, Serial No; 756,509

4 Claims. 1 .7

This invention relates to. a toy skeleton: frame.- work assembly aid, and \more particularly to means for. aiding in thee-assembly, of and for, positioning and supporting toy frame formerelements andthe like structuralhtoyvpartsc of model airplane or boats.

The provision of toy airplane and; oy ooatlkits in the form of structural parts;simulatin cvarious models of airplanes or boats, conventionally comprising various; frame ,former elementsv such as body formers, wing .ribs;.;stringers, struts and the like; parts which require assembly by proper positioning and alignment of the elements, -501- lowed by luing them together to; form askeleton framework, is-wellknown. Among the problems arisingin the construction of accurate scale models .of airplanes .or boats from such kits are the accurate, positionin of the former elements in proper relative spacing from the other element nd the; ali nment and ori ntation of thes elements in conformity withzthat of the corresponding elements in the master device ;or,rplan of the d vic ,a d maintaimne; su h spacin ali nment. and orienta n-f th elements d rin the securing of the interconnectin elements of the framew rk to the .pos tioned elem nts-.1 For such purpose various ass mbly aids h ve. been provided. 7

7 It is anoblect of the p sent invention; to provide renew and useful assem ly eidlcoarti ular y adapt d f r the. construction oi toy airple ,es-an boatarwhichris easy toassemblean whicher a e 1y facilitates the construction proce s-Joy reducin thesde ree of skill require i akin he oss r nd s. conducive to m re accu ate an better results.

A th r ie r e pr s nt inventionis t p vi e a novel evi euf r posi ioni ndelign ing the structural elements of the slgeleton framework. of a toy airplane or, boat or. the-like in accordance with their required position in: the assembled toy and maintaining the position of such elements for a sufiicienttime to permit he interconnecting elements of the frameworlgto be secured thereto.

Another Object orthe present invent on 5110 provide a novel device, particularly adapted for the construction of toy airplanes and boats, for vpositioning and holding structural elements; of the toy assemblage in desired relationshipof spacing and alignment with the other structural elements of theassemblage, and facilitating; the accurate and rapid assembly :of the structural elements and their interconnecting elementsinto the structural framework 1 e m r e eme tw en pacer nve non' re Mousse me new in .at il gro ves, as a e member other. o jects. .aslva eees the eoeb lit o sh p;

11 a an en: esp qeq P rspective vi w-19 o h or al rn tive s e -anem ne 1 e ast e ersoe i ew o o oithesliqine m mb rs e -theope i s of clampin o nin E ie 3 ll s ra in -how h ines mpla e in osi io ng e rin :tyre-e.;elene to ormer element f e: is e pers ctive e -oi smitte -S ies of t e 'in o l strati g-m rt se plo e inf-positioning a disk-ty e wens 50d? 1 15 9133 members; 7

His 6 is f t le ation oi a po or the orossemember shown in Fig. s ecie of cl m in meenssh n si on nd; suppo t on ei oleneebodr l elem nt;

Fi Us 5 E91 9 '.-Pl?4 VE QPHEPQQWQ istes invention sho ni i v isib ainer r v i wsoi-the sp eei m loyed in es embli i bea hu l; c

He, 9 overse s-fi e vi wc thectos tnieinber h w 1Eie---fi -w h he n eiese elem. p me beroi 2;

:Fie; 1Q isaper ecfire View of the n qiesoiip: vention oi fi 5 wi h-enotherl m oi; pi n neansxillustrat n .how t esam semnlow assembling a; square-ty e m e .tai-rplene Gil i la s;

F 1 en'exploded ers ect e oithe 1. pon n s of-t-hec am ns m ansshown 10 Ref -to ur s lten Zaof h is howine th eo zn o ents m k n noth 'tion a u dc n .a semb in a to a. a supp rtin ase membe f i tially rectangular; me sionsisupr v ed :hav s only My 0t. v s own at lint-2C, ssed ire-the and extending enethwiserthereof. For convenience in determining position and spacing upon the work surface II, rectangular coordinate calibrations I3 are provided on the surface I I.

Disposed within the dovetail grooves I2, I2 are a plurality of sliding members, shown at I4, I I, having a base I5, the sides of which are cut at an angle to correspond substantially to the sides of the dovetail grooves l2, I2, but of slightly less width than the dovetail grooves. The base I5 of the sliding member I4 is provided with a resilient element such as spring I6 adapted to extend between the base I5 and the adjacent side of the dovetail groove I2 within which the sliding member I4 is disposed to frictionally retain the sliding member I I at the position it is adjusted to along the dovetail groove I2. Ex-

tending upward from the base I5 of the sliding.

member I4 is an upright portion I'I having a surface I8 extending perpendicular to the work surface II, likewise having suitable scale calibration thereon for convenience in determining position along the surface I8. Within the upright portion I! and extending through the surface I8 is a groove I9, preferably of substantially smaller width at the surface I8 than that within the upright portion I1, and the axis of the groove extending perpendicularly to the work surface II. Adjustable clamping means are provided on the member I4, generally indicated by reference numeral 20, comprising, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, a substantially U-shaped ribbon spring 2|, having means at one end 22 shaped to fit within groove I8 and slide axially therein, and free end 23 resilientl urged toward the end 22 and surface I8,thereby permitting the clamping means 26 to be adjusted vertically within the groove I9 to engage a structural element of the framework to be assembled, such as wing ribs 24, 24, between the ends 22, 23 and clamp the structural element at the desired position of vertical adjustment against the surface I8 by reason Of the forces exerted against the element and the inner walls of the groove I9. To limit the degree to which the structural element can be inserted between the ends 22, 23 of the spring 2i, 2. stop element 25 is provided, which is adapted to be inserted through openings 26, 2? in the ends 22 and 23, respectively, spaced the desired distance from the ends to cause the pin 25 to abut against structural element when inserted and prevent further insertion of the same.

By means of the arrangement above described, the-sliding members I4, I4 can be adjustedaxially of the dovetail grooves I2, I2 with the desired spacing between the perpendicular grooved surfaces I8 to correspond to the required spacing between elements of the toy framework. The accurate positioning of the members I4, I I in accordance with the plan of the framework is rendered a simple and rapid operation by the calibrations I3 provided on the work surface II, while insuring accurate alignment of the elements-vertically. The elements of the framework, as the wing ribs 24, 24' shown in Fig. 1, may then be positioned against the grooved surface I8, and the clamping means, as spring 2I,

adjusted vertically within the groove I9 to engage the structural element and frictionally secure it against the grooved surface I8 and work surface II. Obviously, the sliding members and their associated clamping means may be arranged to employ one for each structural element of the framework to be assembled, or the elements may be positioned by pairs of such sliding members, as shown in Fig. 1, with one sliding member engaging each end of the element.

Various means for clamping the framework elements, other than the spring clamping means 28, may be used without departing from the invention. An alternative clamping means that may be employed with the sliding member I4 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, comprising bolt member 30, having a head member 3i of substantially the same width as the wider portion of the groove I9 adapted to slide axially therein, and a threaded shank 32 extending perpendicularly outward from the surface I8 when the head 3! is disposed within the groove I9. The head 3| of the bolt member 30 is provided with diametrically opposed planar surfaces on the sides thereof to engage and be guided by opposed sides of grooves I9 to prevent rotation of the bolt member 30 within the grooves I9. A nut member 33 is provided with a threaded bore permitting the nut 33 to be threaded onto the shank 32 of bolt member '30 and approach the surface I8, the surface 34 of the nut member 33 disposed toward the grooved surface I8 being of enlarged diameter to provide a large area for clamping a framework between the enlarged diameter surface 34 and the grooved surface I8, as shown in Fig. 4.

The above species of clamping means is particularly adapted for the positioning and alignment of body former elements in the assembly of a toy airplane structure, particularly of the ringshaped variety as illustrated in Fig. 4. Since the body former elements, such as shown at 35, are frequently of different radii to achieve the desired taper characteristic of an airplane fuselage, it is desirable to clamp the body former elements at various positions on the grooved surfaces I8 to support the same at various distances above the work surface II. Though this can be effected with the clamping means shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the means comprising bolt member 30 andnut member 33 are more convenient for this purpose. To position the body former elements for assembly, the sliding members I4 are disposed along one of the dovetail grooves I2, I2, the body former elements positioned adjacent the perpendicular grooved surfaces I8 at the desired distance above the work surface II, the bolt member 30 moved along the groove I9 into engagement with the inner or outer periphery of the former element 35, and the nut member 33 rotated on the thread-- ed shank 32 until the body former element is frictionally secured between the enlarged diameter surface 34 of the nut member 33 and the grooved surface I8. This permits accurate and stable positioning of the former elements in proper orientation and alignment for the stringer elements to be secured thereto to assemble the fuselage.

In the event the body former element is of the disk-shaped variety, as illustrated in Fig. 5, it is desirable to position the body former element between a pair of sliding members I4, M laterally spaced in different dovetail grooves I2, I2, rather than mount them on sliding members axially aligned in a single dovetail groove, as shown in Fig. 4. To accomplish this, the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5 is employed, in which a cross member 40 of sufficient length to extend between a pair of sliding membersI I, II'I' disposed in different dovetail grooves I2, I2", but with their grooved surfaces It lying in the same vertical plane, is provided. Extending lengthwise of the cross member 40 is a groove M of the ment: 43 in Fig: 5 and former element 44 'in- Figs.

6 and 7, at the desired position along the surface 42. Suitable 'openings'areprovided through the cross me'mber 40 near eachsend thereof and on an axis perpendicular to the surface 42; through which the threaded shank 32 of a bolt clamping member 3!! may be inserted to secure the cross member 40 at each end to the sliding members I4, [4' at the desired position on the grooved surface I 8, for vertical adjustment of the cross member 40. To further aid in stabilizing and clamping the body former element on the cross member 40, a longitudinal shoulder 45 is provided, extending lengthwise of the cross member 40 and having a surface 45 lying in a plane perpendicular to that of the surface 42 and parallel to the axis of groove 4|, against which the periphery of the body former element may be disposed in clamped position.

By means of the cross member 40 and its associated elements a plurality of body former elements may be conveniently aligned and positioned on an axis extending parallel to that of the dovetail grooves l2, l2 between successive pairs of sliding member l4, l4 and spaced above the work surface II as required, whether the body former elements be of the disk or ring design.

This arrangement of elements constituting the assembly device is likewise useful in assembling rib elements in the required position and alignment for constructing a model boat hull, as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. The hull rib elements, as indicated at l, may be positioned against the surface 42 of cross member 40 with the portion or the Spring clamping means 20, as illustrated in Fig. 9, may be moved along the groove 4! to engage and clamp the ends of the rib element 41 against the surface 42 in position for securing the interconnecting elements thereto.

Referring now to Figs, and 11, the elements of the assembly device are shown in operative condition for positioning and aligning the longitudinal stringer elements of a square-type model airplane fuselage as required for securing the transverse interconnecting stringer elements thereto. As shown, the longitudinal stringer elements, indicated at 50, 50, are supported in the required position between successive pairs of sliding member [4, 14' disposed in dovetail grooves l2, l2 by means of the cross members 50 and forked clamping means 5 1, shown in detail in Fig. 11, comprising a forked upright body member 52, having a base portion 53' with an opening 54 therein adapted to receive the threaded shank 32 of bolt clamping member 30 for securing the body member 52 to the cross member 48 at adjusted positions along the surface 42, and a pair of par-- allel arms 55, 55' defining an opening therebetween of substantially the Width of the body stringer elements 50, 50. A spring wire 56 6 adapted-to-slip over-the-forked end of theupright member 5 If and shaped to extend around the arms 555 55" of'the-upright 'menrber il -and resiliently urge them-together 'is=- provided to fri'cti'onally clamp tlre stringer-elements within the opening defined by the arms 55, 55 after they have been positioned within the opening. Thus, the upright members. 5.! may be positioned laterally alongthe surface 42 of the cross member 40 in accordance with the required lateral spacing of the longitudinal stringer elements 50, 50, the stringer elements inserted into the opening provided in the: upright "members 5| and; spaced withinijthe opening in accordance with the required vertical spacing of the longitudinal stringer elements vertically; and the spring wir 56; applied fQVel the ends of the arms 55, 55 to support the stringer elements in required position and alignment for securing the transverse stringer elements thereto to assemble the square-type fuselage framework.

From the above description, it will be readily apparent that the present invention provides a novel device for supporting the structural elements of a toy skeleton framework in required position and alignment for securing the interconnecting structural elements to the supported elements, which is easy to operate, reducing the skill required to assemble such toys, accurately supports the elements in mutually parallel planes to prevent improper orientation of the elements, facilitates the proper spacing and axial alignment of the elements, and is conducive to more rapid assemblage of such toy devices.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, it will be apparent that various modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Adjustable work holder for the parts of a plural part workpiece, comprising a p-laniform base having a pair of spaced parallel guide grooves with re-entrant sides, a air of similar standards slidably fitting said grooves having mutually parallel faces perpendicular to said base, said faces each having a groove perpendicular to said base, said grooves having re-entrant sides, a cross member, firstclamping means engaging said cross member having portions playing in the groove of said standards permitting adjustment of said cross member upwardly relative to said standards, said cross member having a longitudinal groove wider at its base than at its mouth, and second clamping means having portions playing in said longitudinal groove, permitting adjustment of said second clamping means longitudinally along said cross member.

2. Adjustable work holder as claimed in claim 1, said first and second clamping means being a leaf spring in the form of an open loop, and having a fixed cross piece at one end extending beyond said leaf spring adapted to play in a groove of the type defined in claim 1.

3. Adjustable work holder as claimed in claim 1, including a bar held by said second clamping means, having a slot of suihcient depth to receive two longitudinal parts of a workpiece in mutually spaced relation, and a keeper bridging said slot, frictionally engaging the bar to permit longitudinal adjustment of said keeper for adjusting the length of said slot.

4. Adjustable work holder as claimed in claim 7 1, said second clamping means being in the form of a. bolt with a head shaped to slidably and nonrotatably fit in the longitudinal groove in said cross member, and a nut screwable on said bolt,

CLIFFORD J. DIETRICH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 150,980 Sherwood May 19, 1874 367,782 Brown Aug. 9, 1887 367,894 Cox Aug. 9, 1887 1,281,624 Mathison Oct. 15, 1918 Number Name fiate Shewalter Dec. 21, 1920 Craley Feb. 7, 1922 Staley Feb, 1'7, 1931 Mass Apr. 10,1934 Lee June 4, 1940 ott May 16, 1944 Becker Feb. 13, 1945 Roach June 12, 1945 Roach Oct. 14, 1947 Gibbons et a1 July 5, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Feb. 1, 1944 

